AT&T is looking to create tiered access to the Internet for subscribers. Currently, the company offers Internet speeds “up to” their subscribed amount. At a recent FCC hearing AT&T Senior Federal Regulatory Vice President Robert Quinn said, “When AT&T provides broadband service by speed, it will do so in discrete, non-overlapping tiers.”
Of course, the knee jerk reaction is that the company is looking for ways to charge more for what it already provides, but it may be even more devious than that.
Could this be a plan to meter access to the Internet in a way similar to how gas and electricity is delivered? Possibly. The large companies would surely like to see it become a reality. Time Warner Cable is selling their triple-play services in Texas with some small print stipulating the customer paying for overages. Buyer beware.